One comedy that frequently serves as the benchmark for many others in the huge field of comedies is Friends. The show’s success has been more than well-storied, as it proceeded to define what ‘funny’ meant, for an entire generation.
However, quite a few dedicated viewers of the genre will testify that there are, in fact, a range of other, lesser-known sitcoms out there that are in fact, funnier. Ranging from a Will Smith offering a Tina Fey creation, we look at 5 lesser-known sitcoms compared to Friends, that are arguably comprehensively more hilarious.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Back in 1990, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air introduced to the world a future rapper cum acting superstar in the form of Will Smith. Fans of the series will argue that Will Smith, barring perhaps the Bad Boys series, has never produced a more Will Smith performance than in Fresh Prince.
The series spanned 6 epic seasons, gave fans a number of memorable characters, and a unique brand of physical comedy that revolved around Smith’s charm and ability to take over screens. The series’ brand of humor may not be attractive to some, but those who appreciate it will testify that it is one of the most hilarious, tears-inducing comedy series that they ever came across.
30 Rock
What made the Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey starter special was not the unique concept, the plethora of whacky characters, or the blend of various comedy genres. It stood out for the sheer nonsensical intellectual capacity of its writers.
Filled with hilarious, peeling jokes that can sometimes be unpacked for days, the series was written in such a hilarious fashion that it became a cult classic. Based on Fey’s adventures with the epic Saturday Night Live cast during the 1990s, the show remains a cult classic even almost two decades since its initial release.
Coupling
Another undiscovered treasure that is comparable to How I Met Your Mother and Friends is Coupling. The only thing that separates the two shows is the funny and distinctive humour that the series offers its viewers. The plot of the show revolves around a group of friends as they work through the difficulties and entanglements that come with dating, relationships, love, and all of their related pitfalls.
Even though it was a fantastic comedy series, its excessively dirty jokes, which are a regular feature of sitcoms, prevented viewers of all ages from enjoying it. The popularity of Coupling proved that sitcoms could wisely and humorously address mature subjects.
Better Off Ted
Better Off Ted is another great workplace comedy which is similar to shows like 30 Rock, Office and Scrubs, providing a satirical take on office dynamics. Created by Victor the show centres around Ted, a dedicated single father who leads the R&D department at Veridian Dynamics, a company notorious for its selfish and morally questionable practices.
Better Off Ted made people chuckle with its intelligent combination of silliness and corporate culture critique, providing a fresh viewpoint on the difficulties of working for a big company. The show developed a cult following despite its brief run and is still regarded as a hidden gem among underappreciated comedies.
Happy Endings
American comedy Happy Endings resembles Friends, although it never quite received the credit it deserved when it first aired. This ensemble comedy, which was created by David Caspe, focused on a group of friends in Chicago and provided a unique and hilarious viewpoint on friendships and relationships.
[/rp_auto]Happy Endings stood out in the world of sitcoms thanks to the crisp writing and the chemistry between the actors, which included Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, and Damon Wayans Jr. The show also had excellent writing. The series lasted for three seasons before being discontinued for not receiving a contract renewal, but despite this, it’s a terrific show to watch with quick wit and sharp comedy, making it a hidden gem for fans of FRIENDS.
